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Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.8M
Grant Range
$50K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,805,000 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 49 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Virginia (preference for Richmond metropolitan region)
  • Total Assets: $154,490,032 (2024)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks (response by late May for spring cycle, late November for fall cycle)

Contact Details

Executive Director: Sarah Bane Williams
Email: Executive.Director@thecabellfoundation.org
Phone: (804) 780-2050
Address: 901 East Cary Street, Suite 1201, Richmond, VA 23219-4037
Website: https://thecabellfoundation.org
Application Portal: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/cabell

Overview

Founded in 1957 by Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell, the Cabell Foundation operates as a private, non-operating foundation dedicated to supporting the permanent needs of charitable organizations throughout Virginia, with particular emphasis on agencies in the metro Richmond region. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $136 million in philanthropic investments to more than 400 organizations across the Commonwealth. The founders believed the foundation "should be responsive to human need" and favored "focused, strategic support" rather than token grants across the community. This philosophy continues to guide the foundation's approach, emphasizing permanent capital improvements and leveraging community support through challenge and matching grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Semi-Annual Competitive Grants

  • Focus: Permanent capital projects
  • Grant Range: Typically $50,000 - $1,000,000
  • Structure: Challenge or match basis to stimulate broad community support
  • Timing: Spring cycle (March 1 deadline) and Fall cycle (September 1 deadline)
  • Payment: Generally one lump-sum payment
  • Grant Period: 12-18 months from award notification
  • Application Method: Two-stage process (Contact Form by Feb 15/Aug 15, then invitation required for full application)

2. Foundation-Initiated Grants

  • Purpose: Projects that reflect board interests or address areas needing attention
  • Support Types: Planning, seed funding, organizational development
  • Duration: May be multi-year
  • Process: Invitation only, negotiated benchmarks and reporting with Executive Director

Priority Areas

  • Cultural Arts: Museum exhibitions and expansion, collection processing and storage, performing arts venue renovations, building acquisition, technology infrastructure
  • Historic Preservation: Site acquisition, disaster repair, building restoration
  • Environment and Conservation: Watershed protection, conservation initiatives
  • Community Development: Neighborhood development, affordable housing
  • Higher Education Infrastructure: Campus facilities and improvements
  • Social Services: Health clinics, libraries, human services infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Scholarship funds or general endowments
  • Debt reduction
  • General operating expenses
  • National fundraising campaigns or mass appeals
  • Umbrella organizations
  • Public sector agencies (with rare exceptions like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)
  • State and local government-majority supported entities
  • Churches and religious institutions (except for disaster repair or historic preservation with demonstrated fundraising efforts)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (2024)

  • Elizabeth Cabell Jennings – President
  • Mary Z Zeugner – Vice President
  • John Branch Cabell – Treasurer
  • Patteson Branch III – Secretary
  • Charles L Cabell Esquire – Director
  • J Read Branch Jr – Director
  • Russell Branch – Director
  • Margaret Christina Cabell – Director

Staff

  • Sarah Bane Williams – Executive Director

The foundation is governed by family members of the original founders, maintaining the vision and values established in 1957.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Stage 1: Contact Form Submission

  • Submit Contact Form via online portal by February 15 (Spring cycle) or August 15 (Fall cycle)
  • Include: organization details, primary contact, project title, funding overview, project description
  • "The Foundation strongly encourages inquiries"

Stage 2: Invitation and Full Application

  • Invitation from the Executive Director is required for consideration in the grant cycle
  • If invited, complete online application by March 1 (Spring) or September 1 (Fall)
  • Foundation officers and directors do not discuss potential applications with prospective grantees before the invitation stage
  • Meetings or site visits scheduled as needed

Decision Timeline

  • Spring Cycle: Contact Form by Feb 15 → Full Application by March 1 → Decision by last week of May
  • Fall Cycle: Contact Form by Aug 15 → Full Application by Sept 1 → Decision by last week of November
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 12 weeks from Contact Form to decision

Reapplication Policy

An eligible organization may apply for subsequent funding after three years of receipt of any previous grant payment. This means organizations must wait three years from the date they received their grant payment before applying again.

Grantee Reporting Requirements

Grantees must submit a self-evaluation within one year documenting:

  • Project outcomes
  • Community leverage achieved
  • Mission alignment

Application Success Factors

1. Contact the Executive Director Early The foundation gives priority to organizations that contact the Executive Director to discuss an idea before submitting application paperwork. This initial conversation can help determine fit and alignment with foundation priorities.

2. Demonstrate Permanent Impact The foundation focuses on permanent capital projects rather than operating support. Successful applications clearly articulate how the project will create lasting community benefit.

3. Show Community Leverage Challenge and matching grants are central to the foundation's strategy. Applications must demonstrate ability to raise matching funds from the community. Important restriction: No more than 50% of matching funds for a challenge grant may come from other private foundations.

4. Focus on Richmond Metro Region While the foundation supports organizations throughout Virginia, preference is given to agencies in the Richmond metropolitan region. Organizations outside Richmond should demonstrate compelling need or unique impact.

5. Emphasize Strategic Alignment The foundation favors "focused, strategic support" over numerous small grants. Applications should align with the foundation's priority areas and demonstrate how the project advances systemic community impact.

6. Be Specific About Timelines Grant periods are typically 12-18 months from award notification. Applications should include realistic project timelines that align with this timeframe.

7. Prepare for the Two-Stage Process Only organizations invited by the Executive Director after the Contact Form review proceed to the full application. The initial Contact Form is your opportunity to make a compelling case for invitation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-stage application process: Contact Form submission is mandatory before full application; invitation from Executive Director required to proceed
  • Challenge/matching emphasis: Most grants require matching funds from the community; limit other foundation matches to 50%
  • Permanent capital focus: Operating support is not funded; focus exclusively on permanent capital projects with lasting community impact
  • Geographic preference matters: Richmond metro region receives priority; Virginia-wide eligibility exists but Richmond connection strengthens applications
  • Three-year waiting period: Once you receive a grant payment, you cannot reapply for three years—make your project count
  • Proactive engagement encouraged: The foundation "strongly encourages inquiries" and values early conversation with the Executive Director
  • Strategic vs. scattered support: Foundation philosophy favors focused, strategic investments over numerous small grants; articulate systemic impact

References

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